Commercial Litigation Associate

Permanent Placements LLC; Burlingame (CA); Hybrid; USD 167,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work options

MCLE & professional development

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Permanent Placements LLC is seeking a Commercial Litigation Associate in Burlingame, CA with 3–7 years of experience to join a nationally recognized litigation firm. The role offers ownership of sophisticated disputes, including deposition, motion practice, and trial exposure.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished writer and analytical thinker with courtroom experience, strong discovery skills, and a track record of handling complex matters from pre-filing through appeals.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• 3–7 years of litigation experience.
• California Bar admission or eligibility to practice in California.
• Experience taking and/or defending depositions.
• Experience managing complex discovery and ESI.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Leadership, organization, and matter-management abilities.
• Ability to work in a dynamic litigation environment and handle multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Handle sophisticated commercial and complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Conduct pre-filing investigations and participate in client and case evaluations.
• Draft complaints, motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.
• Manage written discovery and complex document productions.
• Oversee matters involving ESI and complex discovery issues.
• Take and defend depositions; prepare for hearings and oral arguments.
• Work with expert witnesses and assist with strategy and preparation.
• Develop case strategy with partners and team; participate in trial prep and appeals.
• Possess first- and second-chair opportunities based on readiness.

Skills

Litigation experience

Deposition experience

Analytical thinking

Courtroom experience

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission eligibility

Job description

Our client, a nationally recognized litigation law firm, is seeking a Commercial Litigation Associate with 3-7 years of experience to join its Burlingame, California office.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented litigator seeking substantial hands-on experience with sophisticated, high-stakes disputes. The practice handles complex and often high-profile matters across a diverse range of subject areas, providing associates with opportunities to take meaningful ownership of cases at every stage of litigation.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished writer and analytical thinker with deposition and courtroom experience, strong discovery capabilities, and an interest in taking on significant responsibility. Associates have opportunities to serve in both first- and second-chair roles and gain experience spanning pre-filing investigations through trials and appeals.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle sophisticated commercial and complex litigation matters from inception through resolution.
• Conduct pre-filing investigations and participate in prospective client and case evaluations.
• Draft complaints, motions, briefs, and other substantive litigation documents.
• Manage written discovery and complex document productions.
• Oversee matters involving significant electronically stored information (ESI) and complex discovery issues.
• Take and defend depositions.
• Prepare for and participate in court hearings and oral arguments.
• Work directly with expert witnesses, including assisting with expert strategy and preparation.
• Develop case strategy in collaboration with partners and other members of the litigation team.
• Participate in trial preparation and gain exposure to both bench and jury trials.
• Support appellate matters as appropriate.
• Assume meaningful case responsibility and opportunities for first- and second-chair experience based on readiness and matter needs.
• Collaborate effectively with attorneys and professional staff while demonstrating the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• 3-7 years of litigation experience.
• Strong background in commercial, complex, or comparable sophisticated litigation.
• Demonstrated experience taking and/or defending depositions.
• Experience managing complex discovery and ESI.
• Exceptional legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and matter-management capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic litigation environment while managing multiple responsibilities.
• Collaborative approach coupled with the ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• California Bar admission or appropriate eligibility to practice in California.
• A prior federal judicial clerkship is a plus but is not required.

Compensation

Salary Range: $15,000-$20,000 per month, depending on experience level.

This equates to an annualized base salary range of $180,000-$240,000, with additional bonus opportunity.

Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and other relevant factors.

Benefits & Professional Development

Our client offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with a discretionary matching policy; and reimbursement for MCLE programs and professional development opportunities, including eligible seminars and conferences.

The firm also offers opportunities for some remote work.

Associates benefit from significant hands-on litigation experience and opportunities to develop across the full lifecycle of complex matters, including investigations, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, depositions, expert work, trial preparation, bench and jury trials, and appeals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.

Application Requirements

Qualified candidates should submit:

• Resume
• Law school transcript
• Writing sample

This opportunity is particularly compelling for a 3-7 year litigator who wants more substantive responsibility and courtroom exposure than may be available in a traditional large-firm environment. The combination of sophisticated matters, complex discovery, deposition experience, and potential first- and second-chair opportunities makes it attractive for candidates focused on developing into well-rounded trial attorneys.